Summons, penalties in order as Salud launches probe into Abueva-Dillinger scuffle

PBA commissioner Chito Salud is set to summon Jared Dillinger and Calvin Abueva for the altercation that marred the Meralco Bolts-Alaska Aces game Friday night.

Willie Marcial, PBA’s media bureau chief, told Spin.ph that Salud has already asked for a spliced and edited copy of the controversial baseline collision that fans have dubbed as 'The Choking Part II.'

“Sa Monday pa natin malalaman. Rereview muna ni Commissioner (Salud 'yung mga video),” said Marcial, who was with Salud at the officials table when the scuffle transpired in the fourth quarter of the Bolts' 74-65 win over the Aces at the Big Dome.

Abueva and Dillinger got tangled up as they fell over the baseline railing in the fourth quarter, after Abueva blocked a shot by the Bolts forward during a fastbreak.

Dillinger suffered a bloodied nose during the collision and appeared to put his hands around Abueva's neck when the two had a heated exchange after the play. Both, however, were quick to play down the incident.

Salud said the review will determine if a summon, or penalties, are in order.

“I will review the incident in my office first thing on Monday and make a determination as to the sufficiency of the technical fouls assessed against both players for their actuations,” said Salud.

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"If penalties given on the court are found to be proportionate to the acts in question, then I will consider the matter closed. Otherwise, I will invite the players involved to hear their side and thereafter mete out the commensurate sanctions,” he added.

Since he assumed office in 2010, Salud has already summoned and reprimanded countless numbers of players. He also banned former Petron import Renaldo Balkman for life after he attacked teammates and choked Arwind Santos in a meltdown last season.

Salud also gave his thoughts on Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu, who rose from his ringside seat and approached the league commissioner to demand action after the scuffle.